Car Rental Telluride - Exploring Telluride
A short drive northeast of Telluride is the town of Ouray, often referred to as the ‘Switzerland of America’ because of the magnificent mountain peaks that enclose it. Ouray is not only beautiful, but also historically interesting. Like Telluride, it was founded in the late 1800s as a mining town, and many of the old buildings from this period remain.
About 40 minutes north of Ouray on US Highway 550 is the town of Montrose, in the vicinity of which are multiple attractions. A brief drive east of the town centre will take you to Black Canyon National Park, where the earth drops away into a canyon deeper than 600m. Below the Black Canyon is Gunnison Gorge, a striking natural environment brimming with recreational opportunities.
Between Ouray and Montrose lies Ridgway Dam and Reservoir, a state-operated park with boating, campgrounds, swimming, fishing and hiking available. Thirty-two kilometres east of Montrose, just off Highway 50, is Curecanti National Recreation area, encompassing Crystal Dam, Morrow Point Dam and Blue Mesa Dam. Blue Mesa is Colorado’s largest reservoir, and the entire recreation area is surrounded by gorgeous mountain vistas.
Farther north is Grand Mesa National Forest, home to the world’s largest flat-top mountain. The forest has numerous campgrounds, an array of lakes teeming with fish, and a variety of hiking trails and ski slopes.
